The New Jersey Naval Militia (NJNM) was the official naval militia of the state of New Jersey. As a portion of the New Jersey organized militia, it existed as an entity from 1895 to 1963 and again from 1999 until 2002.[1] As a naval militia, the NJNM was partially regulated and equipped by the federal government but served as a reserve force which falls under control of the State of New Jersey. Naval militias are authorized and regulated by federal law under Title 32 of the United States Code.[2] New Jersey law also allows for the state to maintain a naval militia.[3] As it falls under state jurisdiction, the Governor of New Jersey would be the Commander-in-chief of the NJNM.

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The New Jersey Naval Militia, originally called the Naval Reserve of New Jersey, was founded in 1895, with the purpose of protecting the coast, harbors, and waterfront property. After the passage of the Federal Naval Reserve Law of 1916, the name was changed to the Naval Militia of New Jersey.[1]

In 1999, the NJNM was reorganized by Governor Christine Todd-Whitman to better integrate the NJNM with the New Jersey State Guard.[4]

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the NJNM was activated to assist in recovery, including a deployment of the NJNM's Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Chaplain Corps to Staten Island, and the ferrying of evidence collected from Ground Zero to Manhattan's Chelsea Pier and Staten Island.[2] The NJNM also took part in Operation Noble Eagle.[2]

As a naval militia, the NJNM was responsible for aiding in homeland security operations and disaster recovery. Missions conducted by the NJNM between September 11, 2001, and disbandment in 2002 include:

Waterborne security at the bases of the George Washington Bridge

Daylight vessel traffic control on the Hudson River, north of the George Washington Bridge

The NJNM was originally organized at a brigade level. By 1912, the NJNM was organized into two brigades, consisting of 346 members, and two ships loaned by the federal government: the U.S.S. Tonopah and the USS Vixen.[5]

After its reactivation in 1999, the NJNM was integrated into the New Jersey State Guard in a way which would allow the state allow large numbers of civilian volunteers into its naval militia while still technically meeting the requirement that 95% of a naval militia be composed of navy, marine, and coast guard reservists in order to receive federal aid.[6] This was done by organizing the NJNM into three battalions, with the first battalion being composed solely of navy, marine, and coast guard reservists in order to receive access to federal support and Navy and Marine Corps facilities. The second battalion was organized as an operational Naval State Guard, and the 3rd Division providing support and auxiliary functions.[7][8] By only seeking federal recognition for the first battalion as a naval militia, and considering the other two as divisions of the New Jersey State Guard, the NJNM was able to receive federal aid and include significant numbers of civilian volunteers.